Reading Area Water Authority
EPA ID: PA3060059 · 95,100 people served · 16 ZIP codes
Within the EPA compliance database, Reading Area Water Authority shows 1 violation still pending resolution — a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 95,100 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 13 (2022) to 29 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Reading Area Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Reading Area Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $81,310 and an estimated 263,751 residents across its service area. Approximately 74% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Reading Area Water Authority's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Berks County, Pennsylvania rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Reading Area Water Authority compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Contaminant 0700 at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Radium-228 at 1 pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L) exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L (combined Radium-226 & 228 ≤ 5 pCi/L). Bone cancer and leukemia (known carcinogen). Consider ion exchange (water softener) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0800 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 83 detections recorded. 18 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
READING AREA WATER AUTHORITY (EPA ID: PA3060059) is a community water system in Pennsylvania that serves approximately 95,100 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 16 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Radium-228 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Radium-228 | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19540 | 0.027 mg/L | Yes | N/A |
| 19601 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19602 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19603 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19604 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19605 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19606 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19607 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19610 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19611 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 19612 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 11 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 5 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 19506 — Bernville
- 19533 — Leesport
- 19540 — Mohnton
- 19560 — Temple
- 19601 — Reading
- 19602 — Reading
- 19603 — Reading
- 19604 — Reading
- 19605 — Reading
- 19606 — Reading
- 19607 — Reading
- 19608 — Reading
- 19609 — Reading
- 19610 — Reading
- 19611 — Reading
- 19612 — Reading
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Reading Area Water Authority (PA3060059) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reading Area Water Authority water safe to drink?
Reading Area Water Authority has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Reading Area Water Authority serve?
Reading Area Water Authority serves approximately 95,100 people across 16 ZIP codes in Pennsylvania.
Where does Reading Area Water Authority get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Reading Area Water Authority (EPA ID: PA3060059) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.